Smith reports $100K increase in war chest

Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith raised $100,000 for his re-election campaign so far this year, his campaign said, adding to a $1.3 million war chest to further distance the Democrat from political newcomers also running.

Smith has collected $2.1 million since taking office in 2002 and expects to raise significantly more in the final three months before voters head to the polls this year, campaign spokesman Sterling Clifford said Tuesday. State Trooper Clarence Bell Jr., a Republican challenger, said he has received $2,000 in donations since announcing his candidacy July 3, the last day to file.